Make the Green Leap

Despite our best intentions, sometimes trying to go green can fill us with the same kind of dread usually reserved for starting a new diet. How far do you have to go? Is it expensive? And is all this effort really going to make a difference? Faced with an arm-length list of questions, it's tempting to dump your newly created pile of recyclables in the nearest trash can. But don't. We have the straight-up answers on how to live a realistic eco-friendly life.

May 28, 2008

How do I know which green
items are the best for the planet — and my family? Jillian, redbookmag.com director

The answer's on the label. "If it says 'earth-safe,' 'cruelty-free,' or 'natural,' you should be skeptical until you read the ingredients," says Diane MacEachern, author of Big Green Purse. "These terms aren't verified, so any company can use them." Look for products that have a label that proves the claim is certified by a third-party organization: Common ones include Energy Star for appliances (a), the Leaping Bunny for cosmetics and personal-care products (b), and USDA/Organic for foods (c). If the product isn't certified, check its ingredients. Products that contain ingredients with recognizable names (instead of hard-to-pronounce chemical compounds) are probably better for the earth than their counterparts, suggests MacEachern.

Is it more eco-friendly to use cloth or plastic diapers? What about diaper services? Sarasvati, associate art director

For the most part, cloth is best, says Lynda Fassa, author of Green Babies, Sage Moms. "Realistically, though, the right choice depends on a family's lifestyle," says Fassa. "Some families do cloth at home and disposable when they go out, or maybe try cloth at night." While diaper services may seem like a solution, Fassa cautions against them because of the harsh chemicals, like bleach, used in the cleaning process. If you're not ready for managing cloth diapers, hybrid ones can be better for the environment than standard disposables: For example, gDiapers have a flushable disposable pad inside a cloth cover, and Tushies are a chemical-free disposable.

I know that the number on the bottom of plastic containers indicates whether they can be recycled, but what do the individual numbers mean? Lauren, senior research editor

"Currently, 39 states require a resin ID code label on bottles and other plastic containers," explains Barry Eisenberg, director of communications and marketing for the Society of the Plastics Industry. There are seven code numbers inside the three-chasing-arrow triangle symbol generally found at the bottom of a container. Codes 1 through 6 describe the predominant type of resin used to manufacture the product, while code 7 is a catchall for other plastics. Plastics labeled 1 (soda and water bottles, oven-ready trays) and 2 (detergent bottles, milk bottles) are the most widely recyclable at recycling centers and curbside pickups (but remove the bottle tops, since they're made of a different type of plastic). The higher numbers are reserved for denser plastics, like prescription bottles and yogurt cups. These are difficult (but not impossible!) to recycle. Find out what's recyclable in your area at earth911.org.

Kais Tolmats/Istock

How bad is chlorine bleach? And what are the alternatives? Holly, senior editor

Although pure chlorine is a potentially toxic substance, household chlorine bleach is relatively weak. However, it could pose a danger to the environment if the chlorine doesn't break down in municipal water treatment, explain Jennifer Boulden and Heather Stephenson, cofounders of green-friendly website idealbite.com. While cleaning companies maintain that chlorinated household bleach breaks down completely in municipal waste treatment plants, opponents of bleach believe even a small amount can contaminate groundwater — and that even proper use could trigger health problems, like asthma. Oxygen-based bleach is a safer yet effective alternative; the idealbite.com team recommends Seventh Generation chlorine-free bleach, OxiClean Free, and 20 Mule Team Borax.

Is the benefit of recycling, say, a peanut butter jar eliminated by the water I waste washing it thoroughly? Cheryl, beauty director

"The energy used to create a new jar will be more than that used in the recycling process," explains Lori Bongiorno, author of Green, Greener, Greenest. To minimize water waste, Bongiorno suggests plugging the sink after rinsing off dishes and using that "waste water" to rinse recyclables for collection. If that sounds too gross, don't give up and toss your motivation in the trash along with that Skippy container. "In some ways, we need to stop going for perfection and focus on where we can make a difference," reminds Bongiorno. Ultimately, the jar doesn't need to be squeaky clean to be recycled. So give it a rinse, toss it in the recycling bin, and move on!

What is an energy audit? Can I do it myself? Melanie, deputy executive editor

An energy audit assesses how the energy in your home is being used, says Maria T. Vargas, spokesperson for Energy Star, the government program designed to encourage efficiency in homes and businesses. To begin, you can compare your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the country by using the Energy Yardstick tool at the Energy Star website Energy Star website. Simply plug in information from your last 12 months of utility bills to receive a customized list of ways to fix your energy leaks, including seeking out drafts and modernizing outdated heating and cooling systems. If you want a more comprehensive audit, contact your local utility company, which may offer one for free or at a discounted rate (around $15 to $100). Or consider the Home Performance with Energy Star audit (between $200 and $400): a whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and home comfort. This program is currently in a pilot stage; log on to energystar.gov to see if a contractor is offering this audit in your area.

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